CUPE celebrates 50th anniversary at national convention in Quebec City

Marking its 50th anniversary, the Canadian Union of Public Employees is holding its national convention next week in Québec City. More than 2,500 delegates, representing CUPE’s over 627,000 members across the county, will gather October 21 – October 25 at the Québec City Convention Centre.

Delegates to the biennial convention will celebrate CUPE’s last 50 years and the progress it’s made as Canada’s largest union in improving wages, benefits, pensions and working conditions for all workers. Reflecting on CUPE’s achievements, delegates will debate and discuss the union’s policy priorities for the next two years, and how CUPE members across the country can unite for fairness in workplaces and communities.

Kicking off the five-day convention will be keynote addresses from Paul Moist, national president of CUPE, and Charles Fleury, national secretary-treasurer. Other labour movement speakers will include Public Service International Secretary-General Rosa Pavanelli and Canadian Labour Congress President Ken Georgetti.

Thomas Mulcair, leader of the official opposition and the NDP, will address the convention on October 21 at 3:30 p.m.

Journalist Anne Lagacé Dowson is moderating a panel discussion on reinventing the labour movement. Panelists include celebrated playwright Tomson Highway, champion for income equality Trish Hennessy from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, and Martine Desjardins, an activist and key figure in the 2012 Quebec student strike.

Convention program and agenda are available online at cupe50.ca. Media are invited to attend, and are asked to register on-site at room 201ABC.